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Post by Davos Dayne on Mar 11, 2019 15:32:03 GMT 1
"So you are the one that has stolen my Lady Alicent's heart from me."
Davos approaches Roland towards the end of the evening at Summerhall. He is somewhat shorter than Roland, but broad shoulders and thick arms yield a more imposing physical presence than that of many who are taller. He is dressed in fine but not ostentatious clothes.
"I jest, of course; I knew her long ago, and while I was certainly fond of her she was but child. I knew she would grow into a beautiful woman, but I must say seeing her now that you are a very lucky man."
He smiles, and extends his hand in greeting.
"Ser Davos Dayne, pleased to make your acquaintance."
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Post by Roland Cordwayner on Mar 11, 2019 16:07:37 GMT 1
Roland's left hand remains holding his goblet, but Davos's opening remark prompts his right to make a reflex move towards his dagger before Roland can will it to stop. The accent was strange indeed to Roland's ears - he knew Dornish accents from campaign, a range of Reach accents from tourney travel and even the Riverlands passing well from his time serving House Blackwood. This "Ser Davos Dayne" did not quite fit any of these. Roland offered his right hand, racking his brain. He knew Alicent when she was young, perhaps in Dorne before she was at Highgarden but hasn't seen her in a long time... A strange accent that isn't quite Dornish... Seven be kind, we were on opposite side of a battlefield over a decade past! This is the Dayne that was the brains behind the Second Sons for many a year, at least according to Redtusk.
Roland had never left Westeros, but knew men who were better informed of events further afield. "Ser Roland Cordwayner, sworn sword to Lord Willem Starling of Kingsbridge. Pleased to meet you, the Second Sons' loss is Westeros's gain." "I am fortunate indeed to know Lady Alicent well, there seems little point pretending anything but the truth. We merely await Lord Yronwood sanctioning the match. I am recovered from my injuries defeating Ser Rennifer Waters, but you look strong enough to reopen them. Perhaps we could resolve this injustice with a game of cards instead?" This was offered with a smile, returning the jest. F&F of Times Past Knowledge (Breeding) TN12-1 for Davos's 1B rep = 11: 4d6k3 17[OOC: Roland continues to chuck out great rolls on non high stakes incidents, but adds some nice depth to him and play in to him being increasingly less of a dolt. I set the TN above based on p85 of the GoT edition.]
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Post by Davos Dayne on Mar 11, 2019 18:49:13 GMT 1
Davos smiles.
"It seems my reputation has preceded me, though I must confess surprise - few here keep track of the activities of an Essosi mercenary company, even one with the storied history of the Second Sons. I also think my role with them may have been overstated - certainly I was part of the leadership, but would not dream of claiming sole credit for their operations."
He gestures to a nearby table.
"I would enjoy a game to pass the time."
As Roland begins to shuffle, Davos continues the conversation.
"I've heard your name a few times, in regards to - what are they calling it? The Black Tourney. Most of what I have heard is from Lord Ulbert and my family in House Starkwood, but I was hoping to get an outside perspective as well. As I understand it my niece and nephew were the target - and perhaps perpetrators - of ill deeds? From what I have heard you were peripherally involved with many of those events, and would value any information you could share. My niece in particular is rather tight-lipped about it."
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Post by Roland Cordwayner on Mar 12, 2019 23:00:05 GMT 1
Roland sets the cards down, running a hand throw his hair.
"I know a thing or two about the trouble nieces and nephews can bring. At least you are back from Essos to keep watch over them now."
Roland went back to shuffling, gesturing with a noble's familiarity for a servant to bring another drink and dealing the cards as he talked.
"Lord Ulbert Starkwood recruited tirelessly for my team in the melee, and he fought beside me bravely. His son was of a wilder sort - seeing his father struck down he stabbed the assailant through the visor. Understandable fury, but not a knightly blow in a melee. He over imbibed at Lord Willum's wake afterward and was over familiar with some young lady. I did not see such myself, but was informed by my Companions and they are men that I trust. I had hoped the incident at the melee was a young man's passion getting the better of him, but this begins to be a troubling picture when the incidents are set together."
It was an honest inquiry, and deserved an honest answer even if Roland did not not this Ser Davos well enought to lay out his plan to give Ser Symon a drubbing in some subsequent joust and reclaim the blade he had gifted to the young knight. Ser Addam was right on this matter - Roland should act to correct matters if given the opportunity.
"As for Ashara, I would counsel you to take a softer view. She was more sinned against than sinning, and I fear my own family in House Cordwayner bears much of the blame. My sister by marriage was wroth at my lord brother for making a match between their son and your niece and was intent on provoking Ashara to break the betrothal. Any ill words you hear are likely the prejudices of those who cannot set aside yesterday's battles, too blinded by the past to see the accomplished young woman before them."
After all, Ashara had proved herself a lady of virtue throughout Lord Tyrell's tourney.
As they spoke, they played King's Cups - a typical soldier's game blending luck and strategy. Roland played competently but no better - solid, but predictable in the main rather than creative.
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Post by Davos Dayne on Mar 12, 2019 23:52:15 GMT 1
Davos smiles.
"Thank you for your honest appraisal."
He plays somewhat haphazardly, his mind not particularly on the cards.
"Youthful exuberance, perhaps. Certainly that bears watching, to ensure that it does not become something worse. The matter with the young woman, in particular. As for the melee... I have heard of Ser Lambert. He was known as the Scorpionbane for slaying Lord Qorgyle and his sons in battle. House Qorgyle has long been close to House Yronwood, and I met them during my service as Lord Yronwood's squire. From what I have heard, he was not known for his chivalrous behavior, and the lord he served was fond of provoking those of Dornish descent to have Ser Lambert face their challenges. Had I seen my father struck down by such a man, I would have feared that he might strike a deathblow, and done whatever I felt I must to stop it."
He shakes his head.
"Alas, I was not there, and I do not know how Ser Lambert was behaving at the time. An excessive blow to an honorable competitor, or a justifiable blow to vile blackguard - two sides of the same coin, perhaps."
He shrugs.
"Certainly something to be watched for. Discipline is what separates a true warrior from a dangerous brute."
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Post by Roland Cordwayner on Mar 13, 2019 12:09:15 GMT 1
Ever the competitive sort, Roland saw an opportunity and focused more on the game, speaking more freely. He confessed his belief that Lady Ashara may have initially been the instigator of some plot, but that having followed the trial he was confident she was the victim of some mummer's act with another mimicking her. Or, whisper it, even some glamour or spell may have been used, for Lady Ashara is most distinctive in the Reach.
"We are in agreement on both matters involving your nephew then. A knight riding to his father's rescue is most understandable, particularly given the antagonist, but grabbing at the Reach's well born daughters cannot be countenanced. I would perhaps split the difference and have it an excessive blow to a vile blackguard."
He nodded along at the emphasis on discipline.
"My squire, Hugh Blackwood, has a lesson or two to learn there but I have not yet found the right method to make lessons stick."
"Did you know the current Lord Yronwood well? Tragedy has elevated him at a young age, but I must have his approval if I am to complete the theft of Lady Alicent's heart."
The knight's face lit up at discussion of Alicent, as ever steering the conversation back to her. There was little hiding his certainty and desire on the matter.
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Post by Davos Dayne on Mar 13, 2019 14:37:03 GMT 1
Davos sees an opportunity, and begins to play what he knows is a common but not particularly effective strategy. It was a game of no consequence, and those who took to such matters with zeal typically enjoy winning more than he disliked losing.
At Ser Roland's comment about ashara's distinctive appearance, his mind flashes back to the Nymeria at the costume party - all but orgy, really - he had attended.
Not so distinctive, really. Unusual, perhaps... but her Rhoynish skin is likely what most would remember, and that is hardly unique even in the Reach.
"Alas while I can certainly say I knew the young Lord, I cannot say I know him. I certainly cannot say he would heed my counsel, though I would hope he would at least consider it."
He ponders.
"If he is the sort to accede based on emotion, then you would have no difficulties; however should you put effort into appealing to him in other ways it should not lessen his desire to see his sister happy. The most likely objection would be that the lady's hand could be used to seal an alliance, and if rumors are true then alliances could be of great value soon. If you, like me, are unlikely to ever rule your House, then I would counsel you to discover what outcome Lord Yronwood desires for this impending conflict, and make yourself an indispensable part of those efforts."
He shrugs.
"The man is here, the most certain way to know what he would want from you - if anything at all - to prove yourself worthy of his sister's hand is to speak with him directly. Take his measure and let him take yours. If he finds you wanting, he will most likely tell you, in one way or another."
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Post by Roland Cordwayner on Mar 14, 2019 0:04:44 GMT 1
"The child is father to the man, so even old knowledge is more helpful than I whatever I learn from the other guests here. If Lord Yronwood is a friend to his new King then he shall not find me wanting."
Most of the men present, Roland included, could hardly be trusted to give accurate opinions of their old foes in Dorne.
"I was House Cordwayner's spare, but my brother's wife bore a son."
Fixated on following his strategy through at cards, Roland continued to speak freely as he pushed the advantage from winning hands. Still, he had only just met Davos and did not yet recount House Cordwayner's all too public woes.
"Sorrowfully, I suspect you are right as to the inevitability of conflict. Is that why you have returned from Essos?"
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Post by Davos Dayne on Mar 14, 2019 0:23:22 GMT 1
A shadow of sorrow crosses Davos' face.
"No, though it may well give me reason to stay in Westeros longer than I had initially intended. I left from grief - a little over a year ago my wife passed in childbirth, our firstborn sharing her fate. As close as I had become with my good-father, I felt a keen desire to see my own family again."
He shakes his head, making another losing play in their game.
"Alia was never the sort to want others to suffer on her behalf, and I know she would not want me to dwell overly long on her passing. I strive to live up to that, though I cannot help but still think of her daily."
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Post by Roland Cordwayner on Mar 14, 2019 14:59:49 GMT 1
Roland's focus on the game was broken.
"Seven be kind, I am sorry for both the question and your circumstance."
"Let us raise a glass to your lost Alia and your heir."
Suddenly the atmosphere was heavier, and Roland paused awkwardly after raising his glass and drinking.
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Post by Davos Dayne on Mar 14, 2019 15:59:37 GMT 1
Davos toasts, but then smiles.
"As a wiser man than me once said, ''tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all'. As i said, Alia would not want me to dwell overly on the loss, and were she here would no doubt turn it aound by playing you with questions about your own lady love."
He chuckles.
"She was not shy, that one, and spoke her mind most freely. The first time we met she called me an 'uncultured western barbarian'. Not that she was terribly wrong, of course."
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Post by Roland Cordwayner on Mar 14, 2019 18:06:40 GMT 1
Relaxed, Roland returned to what he enjoyed - competing and discussing his betrothed.
"Do not get me started - I have probably bored half of Kingsbridge on Lady Alicent's charms already."
"Our old maester at Hammerhal used to quote some Valyrian text as telling us that 'everyone is a barbarian to someone', but I confess I cannot remember the translation or source."
"If she was free with her words that must have been some familiarity at least. You would have the advantage on the rest of us in such interactions in Essos."
Everyone knew this was a common characteristic of all Dornish women.
Roland gestured at the room with his left hand, clearly meaning Westerosi nobles. He was a loyalist, true, but "us" still meant the Reach and further North to those that had fought in the war.
"Where did you meet? I do not know if dances and tournaments are common in the East."
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Post by Davos Dayne on Mar 14, 2019 19:42:37 GMT 1
"Not tournaments as we have them here - jousting as a sport is rather peculiar to you northerners. Dances though, yes, definitely, though that is not how we met. It was actually business. I was in Braavos dealing with her father - there was some concern about the Pentoshi starting another war, and the Sealord wanted to hire mercenaries to dissuade them from doing so - using his own troops would as like start a war as stop one. So he requested of his First Sword to negotiate on his behalf, away from the court... and thus I went to his home to negotiate, and met his daughter. From that day forth, my heart never left Braavos."
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Post by Roland Cordwayner on Mar 15, 2019 11:42:39 GMT 1
"My your heart continue to carry the happy memories your Alia would want you to keep, and cast off she would have you discard."
A match made far from the sanction of lords sounded most irregular to the traditionalist Roland, but such freedoms began to appeal the longer he waited for Lord Yronwood to deliver his heart's desire, or to shatter his happiness. By now he would rather know, even if the answer was grave.
The game neared it decisive point, Roland continuing to focus on it and grinding towards victory in his straightforward style.
"While your heart was with your wife, did you feet oft have cause to leave Braavos? News of the Seven Sons oft reaches us in Westeros and a mercenary's life involves significant time on the road."
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Post by Davos Dayne on Mar 15, 2019 14:48:49 GMT 1
"Unfortunately, yes. I spent every moment I could with her, but it was not enough, never enough. That is actually why I left the Sons initially - when Alia became with child, I decided to give up my mercenary ways so that I might be a proper husband and father."
He shakes his head ruefully, and intentionally makes another mediocre but not terrible play.
"I have a standing invitation to return to the Sons, and may yet do so - though as you have said it seems likely that my family here may have need of me soon."
He glances over at Mya Rivers.
"Not to mention there are pleasant... distractions... here of a sort that one does not often find as a mercenary."
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